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Black tea is not as well known or as popular in America as green
tea. Green tea has become the drink of choice for many people and is
sweeping the nation. However, black tea can be just as good for you
and has a much more interesting taste. Black tea is similar to
Oolong tea in that it is fermented. However, Oolong tea is only
partially fermented while black tea is fully fermented. The result
is that black tea has a very strong, full flavor. Green tea is made
from similar tea leafs and is not fermented. Black, green, and
Oolong tea are made from the same plant. The difference in color and
taste is due to the difference in how they are prepared. Many black
teas from China can be sweet, spicy, or both. Black tea is also
often mixed with other teas to produce very complex teas such as
English tea. While green tea is very delicious in its own way, the
flavor is somewhat muted in comparison to black tea. If you like
strong flavors than black tea will likely be the tea of choice for
you once you try it.
The health benefits of tea are widely known, but since black tea is
less popular in American, many people do not know how healthy it is.
While green tea contains EGCG, which is a powerful antioxidant,
black tea contains theaflavin and thearubiegens. These compounds are
what give black tea its dark color and powerful flavor, but they are
also very good for you. For example, a study in the Netherlands
concluded that black tea could help reduce the chance of a stroke.
The compounds in black tea help reduce "bad cholesterol" which in
turn helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. The Boston School of
Medicine found that drinking black tea can help return blood cells
that are functioning abnormally to normal function within only a
couple of hours. A study in Saudi Arabia found that drinking black
tea makes someone 50% less likely to suffer from heart disease.
Black tea may not be for everybody because the strong, exotic flavor
is not very typical to American palates. However, if you have a
taste for the exotic and robust flavors of Asia, you may find
yourself falling in love with black tea. The good news is that
despite the much more impressive flavor of black tea, studies
indicate that it is just as healthy for you as the very popular and
mild tasting green tea. Green tea is fantastic, but as with most
health and beverage trends, there are other options worth
considering beyond the most popular and well known. Most people
simply do not know a lot about black tea and what its benefits are.
That may mean they simply assume that green tea is better for them
because they have heard of it. Now that you know about black tea,
you should try some and keep your mind open to the powerful flavor
experience that awaits you.
copyright 2007 Nicholas Hurd all rights reserved
Notice: Nothing in this article is intended to be medical advise.
Consult your physician or health care provider for information regarding
Your health
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